WeeklySA_AdminCOVETED: Young hopefuls line up for two of South Africa’s most prestigious crowns tomorrow and next month…
By Priscilla Malinga
It is the battle of the queens once again, with the Miss South Africa due to take place at the SunBet Arena, Time Square Casino, Pretoria, tomorrow, while finalist for Miss Soweto pageant is pencilled for November 29.
White Star, sponsors of the Miss Soweto pageant, said in a media statement they are happy and excited to be part of the event, as had been the case for the past 46 years.
The top 20 finalists have been chosen. The community is invited to join in by casting their votes and selecting the queen they feel deserves to take the Miss Soweto crown.
One of the finalists, Kayla Khayakazi Maseko, representing Orlando East, has already faced a hurdle even before the contest starts.
In an interview with Weekly SA Mirror Maseko this week, Maseko said she was kind of taken aback by a rebuff from a member of the public who had posted on social media that, since she had a child, and therefore not eligible to enter the contest.
However, she took the rebuff positively, and defied its promptings that she should not enter the race for Miss Soweto.
“I have been chasing my dream, and, as luck would have it, I have made it to the Top 20 of the contestants who must now slug it out for the ultimate finalist,” said Maseko.
She added: “It has been an incredible experience so far, meeting the girls and everyone on the team, including my well-wishers”.
“Being Miss Soweto means representing Soweto. it doesn’t matter where you come from or what your background is.
“We represent Soweto and we are the voice of the youth,” Maseko said.
The 23-yearold Octavia Mashaba intimated she represented Phiri, adding that her passion is to tackle teenage pregnancy, and the abuse of all kinds taking place in her community.
“I believe that we need to come up with ideas and strategies and initiatives to keep the youth out of harm’s way, out of the streets,” she said.
As an orphan, Mashaba said it was her aim to use the Miss Soweto pageant as a platform to show that negative circumstances and life’s vicissitudes should not define one’s destiny and choices.
“Whatever life throws at you, you can be whatever it is you want to be,” she said.
Kutlwano Zingitwa, who represents Diepkloof, says she entered the Miss Soweto pageant “because it was always her dream to enter the competition”.
Her friend ignited her passion to join. Both always discussed the desire to make an impact in life, and to establish a non-profit organisation.
“I want to show young girls that depending on the goodwill of a man is not an answer,” says Zingitwa, adding she wants to display to young girls that they can become anything they desire to be, whether a medical doctor, an engineer, or even their own bosses.
“Anything you desire and aspire to achieve, is within the realm of being achieved. I’ve always wanted to be Miss Soweto so that I can make a difference in my community,” she said.
